LCT9 Semi Enclosed Clay Plateau Farmland
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LCT9 Semi Enclosed Clay Plateau Farmland General Description 9.1 The Semi Enclosed Clay Plateau Farmland is a mix of medium and open tracts of large scale arable fields, with smaller fields of pasture associated with the settlements and dry river valleys. Settlements are long and linear, generally located within the more fertile valleys. Location 9.2 Semi Enclosed Clay Plateau Farmland is found on the lower slopes below the North Wessex Downs and, although similar, differs from LCT8 in its geology, topography and landscape pattern. There is one area within Test Valley. LCA9A North Andover Plateau Physical Influences 9.3 Geology and Soils: The plateau is made up of Chalk and deposits of clay with flints, with dry river valleys with Gravel on the valley floor. Landform: A plateau landform, with gentle dry river valleys. Drainage: A well-drained area within the River Test catchment. Biodiversity and Vegetation Pattern 9.4 This landscape is predominantly arable farming, with smaller and medium- sized fields divided by mature hedgerows. There are a small number of small woodlands / copses, particularly to the east, and many of the larger of these Test Valley Landscape Character Assessment 2004 (updated 2018) LCT9: 1 are designated as Ancient Woodland and SINC, such as Ramridge Copse and Great Copse. There are also many sections of shelter belt and smaller pockets of woodland set within the hedgerow network and well linked to these more discrete woodlands. 9.5 There are also areas of parkland and wood pasture particularly to the eastern part of the LCA. Notable Habitats Broadleaved semi-natural woodland. Historical Influences 9.6 Semi Enclosed Clay Plateau Farmland is characterised by large areas of informal enclosure typified by the predominance of regular fields with wavy boundaries. The Hampshire Historic Landscape Character Analysis identified ‘regular fields with wavy boundaries’ as being a type normally related with late medieval to 17th/18th century informal enclosure, predating the period when boundaries were carefully surveyed. Some evidence of parliamentary enclosure is present but only in isolated instances and then generally closely associated with the formal parkland of the larger country houses. This may indicate a driving force for enclosure by the larger landowners and often from the aristocratic landowning families (with more to gain from enclosure). This would explain the focus of parliamentary enclosure around the formal parkland estates linking it with the redevelopment of estate farm complexes. 9.7 Compact areas of woodland can be seen to the east and west of this landscape type and are suggestive of the area being previously wooded, cleared and then replanted. It can be presumed that, due to their close proximity to parkland, they were part of a landscape design plan. Settlement Pattern 9.8 There are two types of settlement visible in this character type – Estate Village settlement type and Clay Upland and Plateau settlement type. One example of the former (Penton Mewsey) is present on the valley floor close to a tributary of the River Anton. It is a nucleated settlement. The others in this Test Valley Landscape Character Assessment 2004 (updated 2018) LCT9: 2 landscape type are Clay Upland and Plateau settlements. They are located on the chalk upland areas and tend to be linear in nature along a single road. Communication Network 9.9 Roads which extend through the landscape of informal enclosure are clearly influenced by this process being generally wavy and following the contours of the land. Key Natural and Cultural Landscape Issues 9.10 Key natural and cultural landscape issues as follows: Intensification of farming, in particular conversion of permanent pasture to arable Loss of contrast between the intricate landscape of the dry river valleys and the simpler landscapes of the higher ground Lack of appropriate management of woodlands Infill development within the linear settlements located within the valleys Loss of hedgerow boundaries, mature hedgerow trees and adjacent grass verges Localised intrusion of roads on adjacent quiet areas Increased traffic on the road network, with road improvements creating a more urban character Communication masts and transmitters, and wind turbines, which, if not carefully sited, will be particularly visually intrusive on the predominantly open skyline and have an impact on the sense of remoteness Impacts of solar development on the valued predominantly rural character, sense of remoteness and tranquillity Intensification of farming and extensive fertiliser applications, resulting in large fields and the loss of archaeological features and biodiversity in particular the loss of unimproved mesotrophic grassland Amalgamation of farms resulting in large areas managed as single units and a greater requirement for large buildings Conversions of farm buildings Loss of chalk downland to arable or scrub encroachment Test Valley Landscape Character Assessment 2004 (updated 2018) LCT9: 3 Lack of coppice management leading to a reduction of specialised species such as butterflies Isolation of small patches of habitat Hedgerow fragmentation and loss Declining farmland bird populations. Land Management Guidelines 9.11 All of the Borough wide land management guidelines in the introduction apply to this Landscape Character Type. Specific to this Landscape Character Type are: 9.12 Agriculture Encourage sustainable farming practices with a view to minimising the impact of new farming infrastructure and methods including spraying and fertiliser applications Encourage new farm buildings to be well sited and integrated into the landscape 9.13 Hedgerows Restore lost and fragmented hedgerows on former hedgerow lines, ensure oak standards grow up to form hedgerow trees Seek opportunities mitigate impact from existing and future development through new hedgerow planting 9.14 Woodland and Trees Promote good management of woodlands including greater use of coppicing 9.15 Biodiversity Explore opportunities for chalk grassland restoration and reversion Explore opportunities for improving the diversity of arable field margins Restore, enhance and positively manage the woodland, hedge and shelter belt habitat to enhance the network, with particular reference to butterflies Explore opportunities for improving and linking habitats for farmland birds 9.16 Historic Landscapes Conserve and enhance parkland and other historic features Test Valley Landscape Character Assessment 2004 (updated 2018) LCT9: 4 Land Use and Development Guidelines 9.17 All of the Borough wide land use and development guidelines in the introduction apply to this Landscape Character Type. Specific to this Landscape Character Type are: 9.18 Built Development Maintain the historic integrity of the existing settlement pattern Minimise visual intrusion into the adjacent countryside Avoid extending linear development along roads and seek opportunities to enhance existing linear development Protect the area from suburbanising influences and inappropriate landscaping including over-sized gates, non-native boundary planting, inappropriate fencing and from inappropriate infrastructure design 9.19 Infrastructure Seek opportunities to enhance roadside planting and minimise visual and noise intrusion Avoid intrusive development of tall and large structures except where they can be successfully integrated into the landscape Seek to minimise the visual intrusion and suburbanising effect arising from highway infrastructure Test Valley Landscape Character Assessment 2004 (updated 2018) LCT9: 5 LCA9A North Andover Plateau North Wessex Downs AONB area indicated with orange line hatch. General Description 9A.1. The North Andover Plateau is a gentle sloping plateau falling from around 125mAOD in the north to around 80mAOD in the south on the edge of Andover. Across the plateau a series of dry gravel river valleys run in a predominantly southerly direction linking to the River Anton, which eventually flows into the River Test south of Andover. 9A.2. The dry valleys and gentle ridges have created a complex land use and farming pattern, with predominantly larger arable fields found on the areas of higher ground, and a mosaic of small and medium field sizes located within the valleys. The larger arable fields lack hedgerows, but groupings of these fields are often enclosed by shelter belts, creating large uncomplicated open areas, as seen around the centre of this Landscape Character Area. A number of woodlands are found within this landscape, many associated with parklands, for example Ramridge Copse, with the park at Ramridge House Test Valley Landscape Character Assessment 2004 (updated 2018) LCT9: 6 and the numerous woods in the close vicinity to Redenham House, Clanville House and Penton Park. 9A.3. Fields associated with the settlements are well hedged and irregular in size with a mix of arable, but predominantly pasture. The associated parklands bring further diversity to the land surrounding these settlements. The edge of Andover is strongly defined by fields meeting areas of built development. The open aspect of development to the countryside could have a visual impact and urbanise the immediate landscape quality. Location 9A.4. North Andover Plateau mainly lies north of Andover and extends to the settlements of Hatherden and Enham Alamein. The western boundary follows the A342. Local Physical Influences 9A.5. Geology and Soils: The plateau is made up of Chalk and deposits of clay with flints, with dry